FRANKENSTEIN by Max Landis (Second Draft, dated May 23rd, 2011)

7/23/2019 FRANKENSTEIN by Max Landis (Second Draft, dated May 23rd, 2011)

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FRANKENSTEIN

By

Max Landis

Inspired By(the American pop-culture zeitgeist's interpretation of)

FRANKENSTEINBy Mary Shelley

Second Draft5.23.11


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Her body is perfect.

THE TRAPEZE

Is eighty feet above the ground. LORELEI, 22, beautiful,arcs through the air, her fingers catching the bar, swingingdown, arcing out.

From where he is, he can see everything.

The Hunchback is happy.

KENT, ENGLAND - 1851

EXT. THE FAIRGROUND

Its a cool, gray morning. The circus is setting up; animalsare led here and there, dancers stretch, clowns practice...

The Hunchback, 20, sits outside, looking through a rip in thetent, watching Lorelei practice on the trapeze inside.

He is dirty; pathologically so. He wears old clown clothes,the colors worn and faded. His slouched posture and messy,overlong hair are offset by bright, intelligent eyes.

The Hunchback notices that one of the ropes attached to thetrapeze is wearing thin. He grimaces, thinking..

WE WATCH THEHUNCHBACK GO

ABOUT HIS DAY:

He works around the grounds, helping to set up the circus, aswell as tending to the minor aches and pains of the circuscrew; they treat him like garbage, but seem to trust hisjudgment.

We witness him steal a bottle of ink, and, in between thegrunt labor, he very carefully begins to draw out anintricate diagram.

IN A PUP TENT

The Hunchback is examining NATHANIEL, 20s, a huge circusstrongman. Hes investigating a bruise on his wrist.

HUNCHBACKWell, its not broken-

NATHANIELFeels broken.

HUNCHBACKIts not-

NATHANIELCan I lift or not.


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HUNCHBACKMaster Nathaniel, its not thatsimple-

NATHANIELIts that simple.

The Hunchback takes a beat, then brings out his diagram.

HUNCHBACKIve made you a diagram, of a wristsupport I could construct if-

Nathaniel grabs the diagram and rips it to shreds.

NATHANIELI dont care for any bloodydiagram. If its broken, I cantlift, if its not, I can.

The Hunchback stares at the shredded diagram.

NIGHT, AT THEKITCHEN TRAILER

The whole staff of the circus is lined up for food. TheHunchback is several times jostled out of line, forced to theback, before finally getting his dinner.

He goes and sits alone at the edge of the fairground.

Lorelei speaks, startling him.

LORELEI (O.S.)Weve been spending so much time in

cities I feel like I forgot whatthe stars looked like.

HUNCHBACKYou ought to spend more dinnerssitting and eating in mud alone,gives one perspective I think.

LORELEIYou really could come eat with us.

HUNCHBACKThat hasnt worked out so well inthe past, has it?

LORELEITheres always-

HUNCHBACKI think Im good here for now.Thank you for coming to see me,youre much easier to talk to thanthe...flies.

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LORELEII actually have a gift. When Iwent into town today, I saw that itwas being thrown out...

She hands him a book, stained and torn: PERCYS MUSCLES OFTHE BODY. His face lights up in a way that didnt seempossible as he trudged through his miserable day.

HUNCHBACKWhat really, really you did, ohthis is, this is splendid, thankyou! Thank you Lorelei, justsplendid, and its only- its onlythree years out of date! This is,oh this is the tops, this is-

The fanfare of the circus starts up in the distance, andLorelei perks up.

LORELEIWell, thats my cue to go get

ready. I wouldnt want to upsetdear Lord Barnaby.

HUNCHBACKI dont know how to thank you forthis, I dont-

LORELEII know how you like your books-

HUNCHBACKWait, Master Lorelei!

LORELEI...Yes?

HUNCHBACKI saw, when you were practicing...

LORELEI...Yes?

HUNCHBACKI saw maybe something was wrong,with the riggings. On the trapeze.

LORELEI

(beat)Thank you, sir. Ill take it upwith Mr. Plough.

The Hunchback gives an uncertain smile. Lorelei heads off,and he stares at his new book.

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INT. THE HUNCHBACKS RAIL-CAR

Its a large car for hauling equipment, but the back theHunchback has carved out a little den for himself. Acrossfrom it is another makeshift living space, in which sits

RAFFERTY, 20s, a dwarf, a person so ratlike the term humanseems generous.

The Hunchback hurries in, changing out of his stained, dirtywork shirt and into his stained, dirty clown costume.

RAFFERTYOi lookadis, into the make-up then.I seem to have eaten all yourcheese, havent I?

The Hunchback stops applying his make-up, hurt.

HUNCHBACKRafferty, I asked you not to, I wassaving it-

RAFFERTYOi, right, but I have, and nowyoure bein a bit cruel. And hereI am, forced to sleep in a storagecompartment with the likes of you,and youre going to act like aselfish ponce and horde yourcheese? It goes to show povertydont make you humble, I think.

The Hunchback continues applying his make-up, annoyed.

RAFFERTY (CONTD)I didnt touch your bookie-doos, ifthats what youre worried about.

The Hunchback finishes his make-up, and hurriedly opens atrunk: in it is his library, dozens of beaten up, worn outmedical glossaries and study texts, lovingly taken care of.

RAFFERTY (CONTD)You know, suspicion is a sign ofweakness.

The Hunchback carefully places his new book in with the rest,grabs his juggling pins, and hurries out.

RAFFERTY (CONTD)Dont bother with goodbyes!Manners apparently another casualtyof your ailment!

INT. THE CIRCUS

The circus is going full swing. The Hunchback heads out withseveral other clowns, doing pratfalls, slapstick; hes notbad, though its clear the exertion hurts his tender back.

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He settles into a juggling routine, and then is distracted byLorelei starting her routine high above him.

BARNABY (O.S.)If youd all direct your eyesskyward, you will see the work ofour amazing aerialists as-

Barnabys voice fades as The Hunchback focuses in: He seesthat a rag has been affixed to the frayed bit of rope toreenforce it. The frayed rope stretches, swings, stretches-

BARNABY (CONTD)Get! Get!

BARNABY Elliot, 40s, unpleasant and red-faced in hisringmasters uniform, shoves the Hunchback, startling him.

The Hunchback realizes all the other clowns have gone off,and rushes self-consciously out of the limelight.

EXT. THE HUNCHBACKS RAIL-CAR - LATER

The Hunchback lays on the roof of the railcar, the trainstretching out to either side. He begins quietly whistling.

The slats beneath him drop out, and the Hunchback falls tenfeet to the dirt. He starts to stand, and Barnaby slaps himin the face.

BARNABYYou stay out of the center ringwith the rest of the clowns.

Barnaby storms off, leaving the Hunchback alone in the mud.

INT. THE HUNCHBACKS RAIL-CAR - DAY

The train is in motion, rattling loudly up the tracks throughthe countryside. The Hunchback lays on his cot, readingthrough his new Percys Muscles of The Body, cross-referencing it to another book.

This one, green with leather binding, is marked THOMPSONSANATOMY - For Doctors And Surgeons - Fifth Edition.

The Hunchback mumbles something under his breath, and thenscratches out a sentence in Percys with a piece of charcoal.

RAFFERTYWhats all that grunting, there?

HUNCHBACKI found an error in Percys. Itsgot a lot of new information, butThompsons refutes this bit-

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RAFFERTYVery, uh- inter-lectual. And whatmakes you think that its notThompson thats got it all wrong?

HUNCHBACKThompsons is the absolute best,with contributions from the

greatest doctors the world over,RAFFERTY

No mistaking an ulna for aradius in Thompsons, I know,I know.

HUNCHBACKNo mistaking an ulna for aradius in-

RAFFERTYMy god you really think youresmart, dont you? What anembarrassment that must be.

The Hunchback sighs, complacent, but then notices somethingout of a slat in the side of the train. He hurriedly closes

his books and rushes to a ladder going up to the roof.

RAFFERTY (CONTD)Hey! Whats all this-

EXT. THE HUNCHBACKS RAIL-CAR - ROOF

The Hunchback bursts out onto the top of the rail car,struggling against the wind for a moment.

The train stretches out like a great steel centipede, andbeyond it, on the horizon...London. The city, still barelyvisible, sits in a puddle of smog, dense and brown-black.

Rafferty comes out of nowhere, shoving the Hunchback aside.

HUNCHBACKIs that-

RAFFERTYLondon....Beautiful, innit?

EXT. THE THAMES

The river Thames flows blue-black through the center of

London, a city finding its feet as the first true metropolis.

We watch as the Hunchback helps unpack the train, and avacant lot is transformed into a fairground. As theHunchback helps to raise the big-top tent, thunder booms inthe distant skies.

LATER...

The Big-Top is up. The circus is just starting to get goingfull-swing. People mill around outside, funneling in.

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A young man moves through the masses, uncomfortable in thecrowd. The rain is worse. For a moment we see his face, ina flash of lightning.

This is VICTOR.

INT. THE CIRCUS - MOMENTS LATER

The stands are absolutely packed, and the crowd is rabid withexcitement. The Hunchback looks out at the crowd frombackstage, nervous, and then he gets the cue and rushes outwith the rest of the clowns.

The clowns go through their act, and then Lorelei startshers. The Hunchback retreats to backstage quickly, andwatches from there.

HIGH ABOVE THECROWD...

She arcs through the air, her fingers catching the bar,

swinging down, arcing out.

Back and forth she goes, flips and somersaults. The hastilymended rope supporting her stretches, swings, stretches-

Snaps.

Loreleis body drops out into a free-fall; midway down shestrikes the support rigging cables of the trapeze act,twisting and ricocheting among them before being spat out-

THUD.

The audience gasps. Loreleis body lays still, one of herarms flopped out at crazy angle.

HUNCHBACKLorelei-

Her body heaves and rolls over, and he takes off running.

The Hunchback slides on his knees to kneel next to Lorelei.She chokes and coughs, spitting blood.

HUNCHBACK (CONTD)Lorelei, Im here, its going to be-its going to be alright.

The Hunchback holds open her mouth, looking inside, thenfeels her ribs, then gingerly reaches around and feels herspine.

HUNCHBACK (CONTD)You cant breathe, you cantbreathe-

He checks her neck, finds nothing.

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HUNCHBACK (CONTD)I dont know what to do, I dontknow what to-

Suddenly, someone slides up in the dirt next to him. TheHunchback looks up and sees

VICTOR, 24, good-looking in a strange way, clean cut and

tidy. For now. His words come out in a staccato flow, dryand fast, inexplicably easy to listen to.

VICTORWhats happened-

HUNCHBACKDidnt you see-

VICTORI was reading.

HUNCHBACKUh, she fell about thirty feet,shoulder dislocated but no breaksthat I can find, the airway isclear but she cant breathe, she

cant-

Victor is doing almost the exact same pat-down check that theHunchback did.

VICTORAny previous injuries-

HUNCHBACKBroken arm a year or so ago, brokeher collar bone some time beforethat I think but I dont-

Victor immediately begins tearing at Loreleis unitard.

HUNCHBACK (CONTD)Whatre you-

VICTORDo this now or she dies.

The Hunchback quickly and deftly tears apart Loreleis top;her breasts are just barely covered by the edges of thefabric.

A huge purply-brown bruise is forming on her clavicle.

HUNCHBACKMy god-

VICTORCollar bones rebroken, itspressuring her lung-

HUNCHBACKWhat do we-

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VICTORWe cant do anything, we need toolsto reset the bone, we need a-

HUNCHBACKIs her pectoralis muscle still inplace?

Loreleis eyes roll back into her head.

VICTORYes but-

HUNCHBACKDo you have a a pocket watch?

VICTORYes but-

HUNCHBACKGive it to me.

Victor looks confused.

HUNCHBACK (CONTD)Do this now or she dies.

Victor fumbles out his watch, and the Hunchback grabs it,pressing it deeply under her collarbone with his fingers. Heslaps the back of it, hard; Lorelei wheezes in agony.

VICTORWAIT! The angle of the sternum,due to that dislocation-

HUNCHBACKOh! Yes, of course!

Victor takes hold of her dislocated right arm.

VICTORReady, steady, go.

Victor wrenches the arm, and the Hunchback slaps the pocketwatch-

POPCRUNCH.

Loreleis shoulder and collarbone both snap back into place.Lorelei gasps in air. The Hunchback laughs in joy and shock,but Victor seems totally nonplussed.

VICTOR (CONTD)Thats- that was brilliant.

(beat)Whyre you wearing that make-up?

HUNCHBACKIm a clown. Lorelei, can you hearme-

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VICTORYoure a clown? No youre not,youre a physician, you justperformed a dry surgery with lessthan a minute to prepare-

HUNCHBACKIm a- clown physician-

VICTORWhat?

A group from the circus surrounds them, clumsily heavingLorelei up to lift her onto a stretcher; she squeals in pain.

VICTOR (CONTD)Easy damn it- here, clown, help me.

Victor and the Hunchback lift Lorelei onto the stretcher.

VICTOR (CONTD)Listen, youre being wasted here.

Im at a student at the RoyalCollege Of Medicine, I have a flatin the West End, Id be honored tohave you as a guest-

HUNCHBACKWell- I, sir- I dont know that Icould leave the circus, they needtheir Hunchback-

VICTORYoure not a Hunchback.

HUNCHBACK...what-

Barnaby blusters up, pushing the Hunchback backwards andseparating him from Victor.

BARNABYWhore- youre doctor then?

VICTORYes, indeed-

BARNABYWill she live?

VICTORYes, but she needs the care of ahospital; Chisick Cross is just upthe road, I can lead your menthere.

HUNCHBACK(quietly)

Chisick Cross.

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The men pick up the stretcher, and Victor starts to lead themout, the Hunchback staring after him.

VICTORStay well, my friend, I shallreturn for you tomorrow!

HUNCHBACK

Fr- friend?(snapping out of it)Your name, friend! Your name!Please! My friend! Your name!

Victor turns back from the crowd to shout to The Hunchback.

SLAM TO TITLE:FRANKENSTEIN.

The title lurches forward, crackling with electricity as itemerges from the center of a violent lightning storm.

SLAM TO:

INT. THE HUNCHBACKS RAIL-CAR

The Hunchback comes CRASHING through the door, shoved down byBarnaby, who enters raging. Rafferty perks up immediately.

BARNABYWHAT DID I TELL YOU?

HUNCHBACKI was trying to help-

Barnaby abruptly kicks the still downed Hunchback.

BARNABYIdiot!

Barnaby follows the Hunchbacks gaze to the library trunk.

BARNABY (CONTD)Nathaniel! Get in here!

The strong man enters.

BARNABY (CONTD)Get the trunk.

Nathaniel nods, and picks up the whole trunk under his arm.

BARNABY (CONTD)Come on.

The Hunchback stands, momentarily blocking the doorway.

BARNABY (CONTD)Get out of the way.

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The Hunchback stands resolute.

BARNABY (CONTD)GET OUT OF THE WAY.

The Hunchback backs down.

HUNCHBACK

Please, please dont do anything tomy books, Master Barnaby, I wasjust trying to help-

Barnaby and Nathaniel exit, the Hunchback following.

EXT. THE THAMES FAIRGROUND - CONTINUOUS

Rain is drizzling down from the night sky. Out come Barnabyand Nathaniel, the Hunchback in pursuit.

BARNABYDump them out.

Nathaniel dumps out the books into the mud.

HUNCHBACKNo, please just, I understand, Ido, just leave the books alone-

Barnaby turns, going to pick up a kerosene lantern. TheHunchback takes the opportunity to snatch up his copy ofThompsons Anatomy from the muddy pile.

Barnaby returns, and dumps burning kerosene on the pile ofbooks.

HUNCHBACK (CONTD)No, oh no, no! No!

The Hunchback, screaming in real agony, prostrates himself atBarnabys feet.

HUNCHBACK (CONTD)Please, put them out, put them out,youre ruining them!

Barnaby shoves the Hunchback down, and notices the saved copyof Thompsons.

BARNABYWhats this? Sneaky little rat!

HUNCHBACKNo no-

Nathaniel snatches it away. Barnaby looks it over.

BARNABYFancy.

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HUNCHBACKPlease- its my favorite thing,please Master Barnaby-

Nathaniel rips the book in half, and throws the shreds intothe fire. The Hunchback slumps, jawing soundlessly.

BARNABY

Let that be a lesson to you.

Barnaby stalks off, leaving the Hunchback slumped in the mud.

RAFFERTYChin up, freak. What goods adream if you cant wake up from it?

INT. THE HUNCHBACKS CARRIAGE - LATER

Raffertys asleep. The Hunchback lays stalk-still, eyesstraight ahead.

MORNING ON THEFAIRGROUND.

We follow the Hunchback once more as he goes through hismorning, helping to clean the circus up, reloading thingsonto the train, doing manual labor.

He repeatedly checks the edge of the city. No sign ofVictor. The sun sets lower and lower in the sky.

Finally, the Hunchback gives up. He flops down in the dirtnext to the damp pile of ash that was his collection.

VICTOR (O.S.)Pardon my tardiness.

The Hunchback scrambles to stand in the mud, slipping andfalling. Victor was RIGHT THERE, next to him.

HUNCHBACKMaster Frankenstein- I- hello!

VICTORHave you collected your things?Lets depart this placeimmediately.

HUNCHBACKI- I have no things, all my thingswere-

The Hunchback glances at the pile of muddy ash.

VICTORAh, I see. Then, shall we?

HUNCHBACKI- Im under contract to the circus-

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VICTORVery well. Could you direct me tothe circus manager, then?

HUNCHBACKWell Master Barnaby is in the redtrailer, but-

Victor turns and immediately heads off.

HUNCHBACK (CONTD)Wait! Wait!

INT. BARNABYS TRAILER - MOMENTS LATER

Barnabys trailer is a cluttered mess of papers andequipment; Barnaby sits behind a desk, with a sexy younggymnast crawling all over him.

Victor enters and sits down on a chair opposite the desk.Both the slutty gymnast and Barnaby are baffled.

VICTORTake your time.

EXT. BARNABYS TRAILER - SECONDS LATER

The Hunchback is slowly approaching the trailer, when theslutty gymnast bursts out, storming off. The Hunchbackretreats, then, doing his best attempt at stealth, he creepsup to the window, looking in.

Victors curt, speedy style of speech clashes harshly with

Barnabys uneasy huckster sleaze.

BARNABY-course he cant leave. Hes gotno money, no possessions-

VICTORAs I said he would come to staywith me.

BARNABYYes but- no, but- hes not abonified person, you know? Hesjust a-

VICTORNot a person, yes, by that do youmean not human-

BARNABYNo, well- dont be clever, awright?I just mean theres nothing thereto salvage, he doesnt- I mean hedoesnt even have a name.

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VICTORSeems a bit of an oversight.

BARNABYHes travelled with the circussince he was a boy-

VICTOR

And hes been your doctor thiswhole time-

BARNABYWell hes not a real doctor, afterall-

VICTORAnd yet youve just said that hehas been effective in healing thesick and injured, both animal andhuman-

BARNABY

Those are just his tricks, hesunder contract as a clown-

VICTORHow exactly does one have acontract without a name I wonder.

BARNABYHe owes the circus everything. Wefeed him, put clothes on his back-The doctor bollocks was just afantasy for him, one that Idispelled last night, I think-

VICTORYes, I noticed a pile of burntbooks on my way in-

BARNABYAye, but that was just a bit of arow, me getting my frustrationsoutnwhatnot-

VICTORWhen youre frustrated you burnbooks, fascinating, fascinating,listen, youre a bit of a bastard,

arent you?

BARNABYScuse me?

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VICTORIgnorant selfish cruel bastard,yes, I rather think you dont knowwhat kind of genius you have onhand and though youve been contentto abuse him freely for a good longtime youll have to accept thatthats coming to an end, andacquaint yourself-

BARNABYListen you posh ass-

VICTOR-with the reality of theHunchbacks departure-

Barnaby stands, slamming his hands on his desk.

BARNABYYou shut your mouth-

VICTOR-and find yourself a new doctorwilling to work for free andtolerate random wanton violence-

Barnaby goes around the desk and grabs Victor by the collar,yanking him to his feet.

BARNABYSHUT UP!

VICTORSir, unhand me immediately.

(beat)Are you deaf. I said UNHAND ME IM-

EXT. BARNABYS TRAILER - SECONDS LATER

Victor is HURLED out of the trailer, landing hard in the mud.

BARNABY(red-faced, spitting)

Listen you impudent rich twat,youre not getting the bloodyHunchback, and if you show yourface here again, if I so much as

sniff you, well slit your bloodythroat and feed you to the bloodyhorses!

VICTORWhat compelling imagery.

Barnaby stares at Victor, who seems completely unafraid.This creeps Barnaby out, rightly so, and he slams the door.

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The Hunchback watches as Victor, not bothering to straightenhimself at all, stalks off the fairground. The Hunchbacktries to call out, but hes suddenly grabbed by Barnaby.

EXT. THE ANIMAL CAGES - MOMENTS LATER

The Hunchback is roughly tossed into a cage by Barnaby, the

door slammed behind him.

BARNABYYou are going nowhere. Enjoy yournew quarters.

The Hunchback turns and sees his new roommate; a mangy, moth-eaten Bengal tiger. The Hunchback presses himself againstthe bars, scared.

NIGHT FALLS...

The circus is almost entirely cleaned up. The Hunchback issitting in his cage when Rafferty walks by.

HUNCHBACKRafferty! Rafferty!

RAFFERTYWhats this, a talking tiger,impossible!

HUNCHBACKDo you know whats happened toLorelei?

RAFFERTY

Aw, romanticisicizing are we?Shes probably dead, mate, you knowthat. These city doctors and theirdirty hospitals and whatnot.

Rafferty picks up a rock and chucks it at the tiger; itimmediately stands, bristling and snarling, and the Hunchbackpulls back, terrified.

RAFFERTY (CONTD)Pleasant dreams.

Rafferty heads off, and the Hunchback tries to stay perfectlystill, pressed hard against the door.

Its no good. The tiger, enraged, has begun slowly creepingtowards him, hunkered down in an attack position, growling,eyes filled with bloodlust.

Tension builds as the tiger creeps closer and closer...

Theres a series of clicks, and the door behind the Hunchbackopens, sending the Hunchback toppling down to the dirt.

He looks up, startled and confused, to see Victor slam thecage shut.

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HUNCHBACKWhatre you- how did you-

Victor clacks together two pieces of metal in his hand.

VICTORMagnets. Come on, no time to lose.

Victor heads off. The Hunchback stands flummoxed.

HUNCHBACKWait!

VICTORWhat is it now?

HUNCHBACKI cant just- I cant leave I-

VICTORYou want to collect your things?

HUNCHBACKWell- yes-

VICTORWhat things?

The Hunchback is at a loss.

VICTOR (CONTD)Surely you dont want to keep yourpathetic clown costume-

HUNCHBACK

No, but-

VICTORWhat do you have here? Friends? Idont believe it. Future? Anearly grave, dreams? Burnt in a

pile in the mud. Do not wasteeither of our time with furtherdeliberation.

It hits the Hunchback like a ton of bricks.

HUNCHBACK...Youre right.

VICTORWhat?

HUNCHBACKYoure right.

VICTORWell of course Im right.

BARNABYOi.

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Barnaby is standing not far off.

BARNABY (CONTD)What in the hell do you thinkyoure-

VICTORRUN.

Victor darts off immediately. The Hunchback hesitates, andBarnaby charges; the Hunchback hits the gas just in time, andBarnaby slips in the mud, crashing into the cage.

The tiger snarls and slashes him across the face, knockinghim down.

BARNABYAGH! Bloody hell, stop- STOP HIM!STOP THEM!

Four tumblers, still in their festive circus outfits,approach.

TUMBLERWhats happened-

BARNABYThe Hunchback! Hes attacked meand taken the bank of the circus!Get him!

The tumblers take off after Victor and The Hunchback, butBarnaby grabs one of them.

BARNABY (CONTD)

Get Nathaniel.

BETWEEN THECAGES...

Victor and the Hunchback race through the maze of animalcages, with Victor immediately hitting a dead end.

The Hunchback grabs him and yanks him through a space betweenthe cages, leading him to-

THE BACK OF THEBIG TOP TENT

The Tumblers intercept them, and the two young men are forcedto rapidly duck and dodge the men.

The tent is in the process of being taken down, the supportsbeing pulled out, the canvas rippling and falling-

VICTORCome on.

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HUNCHBACKNo wait-

INSIDE THECOLLAPSING TENT

The rippling canvas world comes crashing down around them,with the Hunchback and Victor sprinting through, dodging

falling supports, several times nearly being crushed beforebursting out into-

AN AREACLUTTERED WITH

EQUIPMENT

There are performers practicing their trade all over theplace, and Victor and the Hunchback dodge and weave throughjugglers, a lion tamer and some practicing contortionists.

TUMBLER(lagging behind)

Theyve stolen the take, thats all

our pay!

A firebreather turns and blows out a huge jet of burningkerosene in their path; Victor and the Hunchback skid toavoid, but then must frantically scramble and flail to avoidknives hurled at them by a knife thrower.

The Hunchback catches one of the knives and flings it back atthe fire-breather; it shatters his bottle of kerosene, whichsplashes onto the fires already burning, causing a HUGE BURSTOF FLAME.

This new inferno separates Victor and the Hunchback fromtheir pursuers; they get back up, sprinting towards the edgeof the fairgrounds, the city, and freedom, when, as theyrepassing a pile of weights-

BAM! NATHANIEL THE STRONG MAN TACKLES THE HUNCHBACK!

Victor, slides in the mud, turning, and throws a runningpunch into Nathaniels face. It does NOTHING. The Hunchbacktwits Nathaniels injured wrist, and he screams in pain,releasing him.

Nathaniel stands and attacks Victor, throwing wild punches-

VICTOR

Stop stop stop stop

Victor grabs a thirty pound weight and heaves it up intoNathaniels ribs. Theres a crunch, and Nathaniel collapses.

Victor turns to run, but the Hunchback goes to Nathaniel.

HUNCHBACKWhatd you do, you broke his ribs-

VICTORWell I told him to stop.

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The tumblers reappear, running full tilt, blocking their easyexit to the city. Victor takes off running again, and aftera moments panicked deliberation, the Hunchback follows,running

ALONGSIDE THETRAIN

Victor ducks through a break in the train, and the Hunchbackfollows, and again they find themselves in a narrow alleywaycluttered with circus equipment.

The tumblers follow, but where the Hunchback and Victor haveto clumsily navigate around obstacles, the tumblers simplyflip and cartwheel over them, rapidly gaining.

Rafferty, sitting in the Hunchbacks rail car, notices theoncoming chase. He laughs gleefully, and runs out ahead.

ALONGSIDE THETHAMES

The Hunchback and Victor exit the fairgrounds, the tumblersnearly on top of them, running up a series of gantrys onto abig bridge high over the river Thames, mostly empty at night.

...only to find that Raffertys beaten them there, drawing aknife as he steps to block their way-

RAFFERTYWherere you going in such a hurry,love?

The Hunchback turns and dives off the bridge. Victor,

startled, takes a moment to pinch his nose and then follows,plummeting the thirty feet down into the water.

The tumblers stop, out of breath.

RAFFERTY (CONTD)Well dont just stand there yeidiots, after him!

The tumblers are no.

RAFFERTY (CONTD)Bloody ell! Ill do it mself!

Rafferty turns and dives off the bridge-

-but doesnt look before he leaps, not seeing a trade boatcoming out from under the bridge-

-WHAM! THIRTY FEET HEADFIRST INTO THE DECK. It aint pretty.

FURTHER UP THETHAMES...

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Dyes are being poured out into the river, turning a portionof it orange, blue and green. On a rocky shore, theHunchback emerges, coughing up water.

Victor pulls himself up as well. Both young men are coveredin green dye.

HUNCHBACK

Im not in the circus.

VICTOR(coughing)

What?

HUNCHBACKIm not in the circus. I...Ivenever been out of the circus.

(beat)Im free. Im free, IM FREE, IMA FREE MAN-

VICTOR

Yes, very good, you are a veryfree, very green man.

The Hunchback lets out a crazy hoot of glee and startssplashing around in the water. Victor watches, indifferent.

EXT. VICTORS FLAT - LATER

Victors Flat in the West End is on a street crowded withbuildings. Its entirely empty at night; one bobby strollsup the street, but as soon as hes gone...

Victor and the Hunchback come racing out of an alleyway, tothe door of Victors flat.

INT. VICTORS FLAT - CONTINUOUS

Victor and the Hunchback burst in. Though VictorFrankenstein appears tidy and fastidious, his apartment is awindow into his mind.

Though it is very big, the place is a mess. Victor must havesome kind of hoarding disorder, as nearly every surface iscovered with medical equipment, schematics, trinkets andother assorted junk.

The Hunchback looks around in wonder as Victor draws out along syringe behind him.

HUNCHBACKThis is incredible.

VICTORNext order of business.

Victor slams his body-weight into the Hunchbacks body,driving him up against a wall.

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HUNCHBACKWhatre you doing, whatre-

VICTORThis will hurt.

Victor plunges the needle deep into the Hunchbacks back, andhe gasps in pain. He begins to pull back the plunger, and we

see that the syringe is filling with murky yellow fluid.

VICTOR (CONTD)I told you before youre not ahunchback, not a proper one anyway.You have an fluid pocket, probablycaused by an abscess, here, besidethe tenth vertebrae-

HUNCHBACKIt hurts it hurts-

VICTORYes. Its gone untreated nearly

eighteen years, but Im convincedthat if we can just drain it, and-

Victor pulls out the needle, letting the Hunchback go, butthen HURLS HIMSELF SHOULDER FIRST INTO THE HUNCHBACKS SPINE,driving him hard back into the wall!

Theres a nasty wet cracking sound, and the Hunchback issuddenly fully upright, screaming in pain and then-

The screams stop. The Hunchback stirs against the wall,triggering a series of sickly pops and snaps. Hes standingup straight. Awkwardly, but straight.

HUNCHBACKI- I- I-

Victor straightens himself, picking up something off thefloor; its a very sleek, simple construction out of wire-frame, jointed in several places.

VICTORNow your musculature and bones willbe struggling to reset themselves-

HUNCHBACKIm standing up.

The Hunchbacks eyes are wide and blank.

VICTOR(beat)

Listen, I didnt...I didnt over-estimate your intelligence, did I,because-

HUNCHBACKNo, no, its just- Im not in thecircus, and Im standing up.

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VICTOR...Yes, well, your musculature andbones will be struggling to resetthemselves, so for the foreseeablefuture youll have to wear this. Ispent the day building it; it wasthe reason for my tardiness, Iagain apologize for that.

He hands the Hunchback the back-brace.

VICTOR (CONTD)Now I shall go to work in thebasement, as I have school in themorning. Library, study andkitchen back there, your bedroom isupstairs on the right, mine on theleft. Theres a water heater inthe bathroom, get that green offyou, and for heaven sake dosomething about your...Hair.

Victor goes to the door to the basement, and starts to go in,but then turns, and speaks somewhat slowly, carefully...

VICTOR (CONTD)Listen, I had- have a roommate,Igor Straussman. Hes a morphineaddict, a liar and a general wasteof space, who luckily is almostnever home. So, should anyonequestion your presence here, justsay that youre Igor. Yes?

The hunchback, a hunchback no longer, nods his head.

IGORIm Igor.

VICTORPerfect.

Victor slams the door closed, leaving Igor standing in numbshock.

IGORI have a name. I have a...library.

WE INTERCUT

BETWEEN

1. Igor exploring the library, running his hands over thebooks, taking back stacks to his room...

2. Igor sitting in the tub, washing off YEARS of caked ongrime.

3. Igor cutting his hair, and shaving off his disgusting,gnarly beard.

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Finally, Igor looks at his new self in the steamed-upbathroom mirror. He has the appropriate response.

IGOR (CONTD)Oh...wow.

SWISH TO:

Igor, in his room, carefully clicking on his back brace.

SWISH TO:

Igor opens his closet, finding tons of clothes.

SWISH TO:

Igor, now dressed, looking spectacular, is trying his newname out in the mirror. We time lapse cut between hisexperimentation.

IGOR (CONTD)Igor. Igor. Yeegor. Eyegor.

(cut)Hello, my name is Yaygor- no thatsbloody awful-

(cut)Oh hello, Duchess, my name is Igor.An actor? Ha, duchess you flatterme, as a matter of fact, Im adoctor-

He does a flourishing gesture and accidentally knocks a bunchof shit off the dresser.

IGOR (CONTD)

Bloody hell-

SNAP TO:

Igor, in bed, fast asleep, surrounded by books.

CLOSE ON:

Fingers, fidgeting with a crucifix, turning it around andaround, end over end.

TURPINA doctor you say.

INT. BARNABYS TRAILER

Barnaby sits on his desk, nursing his bandaged face, watchingthrough the window as doctors move Nathaniel into a carriageon a stretcher. Standing nearby, fidgeting with a littlemetal crucifix, is

Inspector RODERICK TURPIN, 40, respectable and distinguished,but with a strange, harried manner; hes fraying around theedges, and there are bags under his eyes.

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BARNABYA hokum doctor, ay. Always doingthings you know, with the animals,esperiments and what have you-

TURPINAnd what again was the exact amountof money you said was missing?

BARNABYTwo hundred twenty quid.

TURPINAha, would that be your wholeLondon take?

BARNABYIt would-

The door opens and ALISTAIR Oberon, 36, with an immaculatelykept mustache, leans in.

ALISTAIRInspector Turpin, a word outside?

EXT. BARNABYS TRAILER - CONTINUOUS

Its nearing dawn. Alistair and Turpin pow-wow, Turpinclosing the door in Barnabys face.

TURPINWell, hes lying about the money.

ALISTAIR

How do you figure?

TURPINWhen would the hunchback have takenit? The footprints from the cageonly go one way, the hunchback andits accomplice had no agenda herein the circus; they wanted to getto the city. Mister Barnabys justtrying to swindle the insurance.

ALISTAIRIndeed. What I came to tell youwas, theyve gotten the body

cleaned up off the boat, and wevegot conflicted reports. Two of thetumblers are saying the hunchbackthrew him off the bridge, two aresaying he jumped by himself.

TURPINOh he threw him, most definitely.The differences in story can beexplained by delusion, heat of themoment.

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Theres something rather strangeabout all this though, dont youthink? Sinister.

ALISTAIRHow do you figure?

TURPIN

The cage shows no signs oftampering, yet the lock had opened.The wound to the face of themanager came from a claw, theinjury to the strongman shows asuper-human strength, not tomention theres talk of thehunchback doing science as itsprimary pastime...You dont find itsomewhat ghoulish?

ALISTAIR(beat, awkwardly)

Inspector, Ive been meaning to

say...I, that is to say, all of usat the Yard- what happened withClaudia is a tragedy, sir.

TURPIN...Beg pardon-

ALISTAIRYour wife, Claudia; her passing was-

TURPINIm sorry, what relevance doesClaudia have to this?

ALISTAIRWell, none but-

TURPINClaudia is in Heaven. Ourseparation is merely temporary.What is your implication about mystate of mind?

ALISTAIRI didnt mean-

TURPIN

Didnt you?

Turpin smiles, seeming to realize how he was coming off.

TURPIN (CONTD)I have my daughter, my home, myjob. This too shall pass,Constable.

ALISTAIRYes sir. Of course sir.

27.

TURPIN (CONT'D)


29/120

TURPIN(back to business)

There was an accident with a highwire girl last night. Thehunchback was involved, as Iunderstand it. Have our menquestion everyone in this place,see if we can find out whichhospital she was taken to.

ALISTAIRYes sir.

TURPINHave the artist Walsh make uppictures, and then have printsmade: one hundred of the Hunchback,fifty of his accomplice, and thenhave them posted everywhere fromWestminister to Bethnal Green.

ALISTAIR

Yes sir.

TURPINThere is a murderous hunchbackloose in London. This will notstand.

SLAM TO:

Igor curled up in his bed, morning light flooding in throughthe windows. He stirs.

MOMENTS LATER:

Igor discovers a note on his door. I- At school til 6. Ten in the tin by the door, with your key. Buy dinner. -F.

Igor discovers the tin, along with the money and his key.

IGOR(quietly)

Chisick Cross.

MOMENTS LATER:

Igor sits at a table consulting a big map of London; we cantell by the way he mumbles to himself, his eyes darting all

over, that hes absorbing the data, easily and quicklycommitting it to memory.

EXT. LONDON - MORNING

Igor steps out, but the hustle and bustle of the busy streetin daytime scares the shit out of him, and he jumps backinside. A moment later he reemerges.

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We follow Igor as he walks up the street, in awe at everyoneand everything.

IN A MARKET

Igor investigates every fruit, every meat, every spice. Heshaving the time of his life. To entertain a few children, hejuggles some apples. Theyre wowed.

BACK ON THESTREETS

Igor walks up the street, bag of groceries under his arm. Hehas a slightly more confident gait, now; he knows where hesgoing and why.

INT. CHISICK CROSS HOSPITAL - MOMENTS LATER

The hospital is dank and dirty, really just one largewarehouse style room filled with the sick and dying. Igorcautiously heads in, nervous, looking remarkably clean cut

and pristine amongst all the filth.

He starts to walk in, when hes called out by a gruff malenurse, dirty and frightening.

SCARY NURSEOi! Whatre you doing here?

Igor nearly cowers, like a scared animal.

IGORI- oh, Im sorry, Ill- Ill go-

SCARY NURSEYou here from the medical schoolabout buying bodies? Weve got afew ofem pretty near to pass, Imwagering, but-

Igor notices his reflection in a pool of dank water.

IGORI- No, Im just looking for afriend. She was an aerialist, atthe circus.

SCARY NURSE

Friend. Hah. End of the line,behind the curtains.

Igor smiles cautiously, still scared of the nurse, and thenhurries down the row of beds, getting more and more excitedas he approaches the curtained off area at the end-

-The curtains pull back, revealing Lorelei, nearlyunconscious in her sickbed-

IGORLorelei-

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-Inspector Turpin and Constable Alistair. Igor freezes,confused.

IGOR (CONTD)Im sorry- I didnt mean to- areyou doctors-

TURPIN

Its quite all right. What bringsyou here?

IGORI just- I just-

TURPINYou know this girl?

IGORI- yes- no- I-

TURPINYou knew where to find her, are you

with the circus?

IGORI- No, Im- just a friend-

Turpin looks to Lorelei, who clearly is in no shape to answerquestions, much less recognize Igor. Turpin takes a stepforward, backing Igor out of the curtained area.

TURPINHold still a beat.

IGOR

I- whatre you-Turpin has drawn out an artists depiction of Victor, and isconsulting it against Igors features.

TURPINInteresting. This girl is beingquestioned in connection with therampage of the Blue MeringueHunchback last night on the Thames.

IGOR(horrified)

The- the what-

TURPINWhat did you say your name was?

IGORI didnt- Ig- Im Igor-

TURPINIgor what.

IGORI- Im sorry, I have to go-

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TURPINWhats the hurry?

IGORI have to go- I have to go-

Igor turns, nearly walking into a patient, rushingfrantically out of the hospital. Constable Alistair pokes

his head out.

ALISTAIRStrange lad. Probably went to thecircus and found himself love-struck, is what I take it. Huntedher down looking to be abenefactor, happens all the timewith women like this.

TURPINMaybe. Maybe. Igor. Hm.

OUTSIDE...

Igor comes crashing out into the street, running blindly,panicked. He tries to orient himself, and comes face to facewith one of the WANTED: HUNCHBACK posters.

Horrified, he stumbles and trips into the street, spillinghis groceries everywhere.

He scrambles to pick them up, and is nearly run down by acarriage, knocking him into the mud.

EXT. VICTORS FLAT - EVENING

Victor walks up the street, mumbling angrily. He stops infront of his door, composes himself, and then goes in.


VICTORIgor, Im-

Victor stops dead. Theres a trail of mud on the floor,which he follows to find Igor sitting in his muddy clothes bythe fire, hunched over in a caveman-like squat unbecoming ofhis new appearance.

VICTOR (CONTD)Back to the mud so soon?

Igor looks up at him, eyes wide.

VICTOR (CONTD)I take it youve seen the postersthen. Terrible depiction of me,have my hair all wrong. Im new tothis criminal life, but I neversuspected theyd attack my vanity.

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IGOR...They think Im a murderer-

VICTORWell youre not. And theyre notlooking for you, are they?

Igors confusion is obvious.

VICTOR (CONTD)Theyre looking for a piteous,nameless hunchback. A creature whono longer exists. Ive seen tothat, havent I?

Igor hesitantly smiles; Victor has a way with words.

VICTOR (CONTD)Dinner?

DINING ROOM -LATER.

Victor and Igor are sharing a roast duck.

VICTOR (CONTD)Of course I never put much faith inthe professors. Father says mostof them get their job through crony-ism as is; many of them I fear aredrunks, idiots, or worse, close-minded people. I find I have aterrible fear of the close mindedand ignorant as they seem to do themost damage to society as a whole.

IGOR(happy about the duck)

Mhm.

VICTOROf course the curriculum ispathetically easy, laughably so; Icould even laugh about it now, butto do so would expend more effortthan Im asked to expend of mystudies, literally the act ofsaying haha would be moredifficult than-

IGORSo you like school then?

VICTOR...I suppose I do.

IGORWhat brought you to the circus?

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VICTOR(beat)

The animals.

IGOROh, you like the animal tricks?They were always my favorite too-

VICTORLiving animals are a bore. Itsthe dead ones I was after.

IGORBeg pardon?

VICTORFor parts.

(in response to Igorsconfusion)

I believe an explanation is inorder. My interest in you did notstem from charity.

(beat)I think its time you met mymonster.

INT. VICTORS FLAT - THE STUDY

Victor leads in Igor, turning on the lights. This room iscluttered, but more purposefully than the others; theres atable in the center with several larger objects on it,covered by a sheet.

VICTORBefore I met you, I was hoping toapproach Mr. Barnaby about sellingme some of his deceased animals.

IGORTo what end? Study?

VICTORNo. Not study.

(beat)I am of the strong belief thatdeath can be made a temporarycondition.

IGORBut thats im-

VICTORImprobable, yes, impossible, dontbe stupid. Very little is actuallyimpossible. Life is temporary, whyshould death be any different?

IGOR...Whats under the sheet?

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VICTOR...Life, Ive found, is an energy.The fools would call it a spirit ora soul, but its an energy, anidentifiable, quantifiable,reproducible energy. Id spentevery hour of my life in pursuit ofthis energy, and then, last year, abreak through. I am a genius, andI created something that willchange the world.

IGOR...Righto. Whats under the sheet?

Victor yanks away the sheet, revealing a small electricalgenerator...And a set of human eyes, a with an interlacedoptical nervous system, suspended in fluid in a fish tank.

IGOR (CONTD)Ah-ha.

VICTORThe eyes are over three months old,and the fluid is electricallyconductive jelly. Serves a doublefunction to preserve them, and-well, look, here....

Igor, initially repulsed, goes up and gets a better look asVictor searches through piles of equipment.

IGORYouve done a shoddy job on thenerves here-

VICTORWell, Im not the surgeon, its youwith the gifted hands- there!

Victor draws out a gizmo from the pile. Its about eightinches long, shaped like a wishbone, with wiring running allover it. At the end of each point of the wishbone are twowrought iron bolts.

Victor immediately begins affixing it to wires extending fromthe electrical generator. For the first time, Victor seemsnervous, unsure; a child showing a new friend their favoritetoy, hoping theyll be impressed.

VICTOR (CONTD)Its all a matter of conversion,you see; the conversion of pureelectrical energy into biologicalenergy, of the same sort that flowsthrough the bodies of the living.Thus my creation of this device,the Lazarus Fork. You see, byrunning the electrical currentthrough a specially blended varietyof metal and sulfates, Ive-

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IGORYouve mastered the conversion.

VICTORWell- I- yes.

IGORShow me.

VICTORI- uh, yes, I shall-

Victor plunges the Lazarus fork into the jelly, and beginsturning the crank on the generator; it kicks in, and theelectricity begins to flow with a loud rattle and hum.

Igor leans down to the eyes. Victor, excited, goes aroundand stands next to him.

IGORWhen does it do...something-

VICTORIt has! It is! It- here, look!

Victor draws out a match, and strikes it on the table. Theeffect is immediate: the eyes turn and focus on the flame.Victor moves it back and forth, and the eyes move to follow.

Victor looks to Igor, nervous.

IGORYou are a genius. You have createdsomething that will change theworld.

VICTORThis is only the beginning.

INT. VICTORS FLAT - MOMENTS LATER

Victor leads Igor out into an open area.

VICTORTo what degree would you say youunderstand the function andconstruction of nerves in the humanbody?

IGORWell I-

VICTORNo tolerance for the humble here,Igor.

IGORI have a complete mastery of thenervous and circulatory systems.

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I am also well versed in the formand structure of the muscles andbones. I also am quite up to dateon the deductions made about thefunction the different parts of thebrain serve, although I believemost of the current observationswill, in time, prove to becompletely wrong.

VICTORI- uh- good. Good! Perfect. Thiswill be your workspace. I shallbring you your assignmentspiecemeal, and you will completethem in a timely manner. I willthen apply your projects to alarger whole of my own design.Ive also decided to allow you todo my homework assignments for me,thus enhancing your alreadyformidable knowledge. Do you have

any questions?

IGOR...This larger whole. What is it?

VICTORThat is not your concern-

IGORBut if my work will go towards it,surely I deserve to-

VICTORAs I said. This was not charity.

Your time here will be earned; whatyou deserve is immaterial,agreed?

IGOR(after a beat)

...Agreed. I want to help changethe world.

Victor smiles, and extends his hand, which Igor tentativelyshakes.

WE MOVE INTO A

MONTAGE AS TIMEPASSES...

Intercutting between two threads...

1. Turpins intensifying search for the Hunchback. Thewanted posters are getting old and worn, new ones are beingplastered up, the reward for information doubling...

And

36.

IGOR (CONT'D)


38/120

2. Igors work. We watch as time and time again Victorbrings him moist newly dead flesh (much of it ofunidentifiable nature), along with supplies and diagrams of

what he wants done. Igor masterfully stitches together skinand tissue, creates artificial nerves and veins with electric

wiring and thin rubber tubes...

Its all very gross, but Igor, looking through goggles,

magnifying glasses and microscopes, is so into it we canthelp but share his enthusiasm.

After each assignment, Victor demonstrates his emphaticapproval, before retreating to the basement with thefinished product (lungs that breath, muscles that twitch,nerves that react) each time slamming the door.

SLAM SLAM SLAM SLAM...

INT. VICTORS FLAT

Igor is sitting and drawing; a sketch of Lorelei, floating

through the air between two trapeze. The electric lights inthe room flicker for a moment, and Igor looks up.

Theres a noise at the door, and we see an envelope pushedthrough the slot. Igor looks around, then hesitantly goesand picks it up. Its marked: I.STRAUSSMAN - URGENT.

Igor moves to set the I.STRAUSSMAN letter on a pile by thedoor of other mail for Victors absent roommate, but thenfalters. He hesitates, and listens for Victor; nothing.

Igor opens the envelope, and scans through the letter inside:PAYMENT 2 MONTHS OVERDUE. FINAL NOTICE.

The door to the basement bursts open, startling Igor.

IGORThis letter for Master Straussman,it-

Victor is positively glowing with happiness.

VICTORWere going out on the town.

EXT. LONDON - THE WEST END - NIGHT

Victor and Igor head up the street, talking.

VICTORI have a tenured membership in theclub through my father. He was acharter member, helped to buy thevelvet for the seats.

IGORYou make your father out to be agreat man.

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VICTOREsteemed doctor, member of theroyal corps of physicians, hes ainnovator, hes brilliant.

IGORDo you think Ill ever get to meethim?

VICTOROh I dont- I- I dont know, hes avery busy man, and he- hisschedule, you know.

IGORYou mentioned he had a library?

VICTORThe biggest personal collection ofmedical texts in Britain, yes, youcould say he has a library-

IGORDo you think he has a copy ofThompsons?

VICTORThompsons Anatomy? Well, itsrare but, I mean, of course-

IGORDo you think we could go there, tohis library?

VICTORWhats this fixation on Thompsons?

IGORIn the circus, I had a copy. Itwas a great inspiration to me.

VICTORWell, I- you know, he doesnt letme- give me access, Im just ayoung man- hed be so angry if hefound out Id been touching hisbooks- oh, look, here we are!

Theyve come up on THE EXETER, an extremely fancy (and hip,

and fun, and crowded) looking club.

IGOROh...Master Victor, I dont know ifIm suited for all this-

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VICTORPishposh. All you need to do iskeep your back straight, your wordsclean, and try your damndest not toembarrass me.

SMASH CUT TO:

VICTOR (CONTD)BABIES GROWN IN VATS.

INT. THE EXETER - CONTINUOUS

Victor is WASTED, sitting in a corner booth with Igor and afew girls. The club is awesome, and packed; the girls arepretty damn hot, too, but theyre mostly focused on Igor, whohimself is trying not to notice, instead focusing on Victor.

IGOR(laughing)

Victor why does this idea fascinate

you?

VICTORIm just saying the act- ofFERTILIZATION- can take place outside of the womans body. Thesperm, the sperm can move-

(hiccup)The sperms can move into the egg,say, in a saucer, some sort ofheated basin-

SEXY SOCIETY GIRLAnd where does the mother figureinto this, then?

VICTORWell, youd- after you impregnatethe egg, you get a funnel- and thenyou...you know- into the woman-

SEXY SOCIETY REDHEADOh, thats just wretched.

VICTORITS THE FUTURE! Igor, tell them,assist me in this, this valuable

endeavor.

Igor doesnt respond; hes staring across the club to thebar...

...Where Lorelei stands. She looks stunning. Gone is allthe muck and grime of the circus, though she still wears asling over her injured arm.

IGORLadiesyoullhavetoexcuseme

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Both women groan in disappointment but Igor is already up andgone, clumsily pushing his way through the club. He gets tothe bar; shes gone! No, there she is, headed up the stairs-

INT. THE EXETER - UPPER LEVEL - CONTINUOUS

Igor catches up to Lorelei at the top of the stairs; she

turns, sensing his presence before he can say anything. Theystand there deadlocked in silence, staring at each other.

She suddenly embraces him; Igor is shocked. She whispersinto his ear, her words fraught with emotion.

LORELEIYou saved my life. You saved mylife.

Igor lets out a sigh of complete relief.

LATER...

Igor and Lorelei are hanging out, leaning on one of thebalconies over the club; theyre completely relaxed, talkinglike old friends, or, more accurately, refugees.

IGORPenham Mall? Thats really fancy,though, isnt it?

LORELEIOh, you know, just the richestsection of London. Haha, Imsorry, Im awful.

IGORYou can be awful when you lookgreat, isnt that the way peoplebehave?

LORELEIHigh praise from a bloke whostwice the man he used to be, inheight alone.

IGORWell, I, uh- I dont really- um- Sodoes he intend to marry you?

LORELEIWho, Baron Bomine? I think youmisunderstand our relationship-

IGORDo I?

LORELEIOh, and now I see a glint of hopein your eye.

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IGOROh no, I just- um- listening-

LORELEII met him in the hospital; he wasin with a twisted ankle of allthings, and he just swept me awayonce hed heard the circus left

without me. At first he did comeon awfully romantic, but- honestlyIve come to believe that hestaken me in as his consort more forappearances than anything else.

IGORAppearances?

Lorelei nods down at BARON BOMINE, whos on the main floor.Hes the gayest man alive.

IGOR (CONTD)Aaaah. Oh.

IGOR (CONTD)Robert the Juggler.

LORELEIRobert the Juggler.

Both of them immediately crack up.

LORELEII dont know why youre laughing.I think its very important for ajuggler to have a sincere love ofballs-

Both of them crack up again, and then theres a ruckus fromdownstairs; Igor looks and sees that Victors accidentallyknocked some plates on the floor whilst animatedly gesturing.

LORELEI (CONTD)Isnt that your chap there?

IGORYes, Victor Frankenstein. Smartestperson Ive ever met. Hes the onewho helped me save you, as well.He got me out of the circus, fixedmy back...I owe him everything.

VICTOR

Have you ever seen a human brain?Its...GRAY!

IGOR(faltering)

Hes quite brilliant, really, justnot so much of a...person fortalking to people.

VICTOR(audible over the crowd)

Ive seen a rat nest in a brain!

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Igor looks to Lorelei, trying to hold back a laugh. Shedoesnt do as well holding back. The ruckus downstairscontinues; Victors pissed off some jerk.

IGORAh, it looks like he may need my-

LORELEI

But of course.

Igor starts to go, but then stops.

IGORListen, were right in the WestEnd, on Verner Street.

LORELEIForty Five Penham Lane.

IGORSo well see each other again.

LORELEIYes. Definitely.

IGORMy name is Igor.

VICTOR (O.S.)YOU ARE A BEASTLY, BEASTLY MAN

Theres a crash downstairs. Igor turns and rushes off,leaving Lorelei in a very pleasant state of shock.

LORELEI

Igor.

EXT. LONDON - ALLEY

Victor is puking into a pile of garbage, while Igor standsnext to him, patting his back.

VICTORPeople are such animals, youknow...I dont understand them, Iadmit this, to some degree. Idont know the things to say tomake them like me, or- not like me,

I dont care if they like me-

IGORIts all right.

VICTORWhat?

IGORIts all right to care if peoplelike you. I like you.

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VICTORI...like you, as well. Yes.

(beat, straightens up)Igor, tonight was not meaninglessfrivolity. It is a celebration.

IGOR...What are we celebrating?

INT. VICTORS FLAT - THE BASEMENT

The electric lights flicker and hum to life, illuminating themost sinister, fascinating place youve ever seen. The wallsare covered in makeshift electrical equipment, some of itvery clearly decades, maybe even centuries ahead of its time.

Mixed in with this are all manner of medical instruments andtools, as well as charts of human and animal anatomy.Perhaps most creepy of all is the fact that large portions ofthe room are covered in red-brown stains.

Blood.

Victor comes rushing down the stairs, nearly falling.

VICTORCome on, come on!

Igor hesitates at the top of the stairs, then slowly comesdown. Victor, meanwhile, primes a bunch of electricalgenerators...all hooked into something on a table, under asheet, in the center of the room.

IGOR

What is that?VICTOR

Under this bedsheet is the productof ten years study, laborious hoursspent over books and tinkering withelectrical machines-

Igor approaches the table and Victor rips off the sheet...

VICTOR (CONTD)I present to you: Gordon!

The...thing...called Gordonmost closely resembles a

chimpanzee, but a glance shows it to be something elseentirely.

This is a patchwork monster, cobbled and stitched togetherfrom mostly chimp flesh, but with parts that are definitelycheetah, as well as other unidentifiable bits and pieces. Alot of it appears sloppy; electrical wiring and tubes arevisible all over the body, and the whole thing looks ready tofall apart.

As Igor tries to process, Victor goes back to the machines.

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IGORYou...you made this-

VICTORNo. We made this.

Igors eyes go over the creature, pinpointing all of hiswork; its all gone to this monstrosity. Victor primes

machines, and they begin to hum and whir loudly.

VICTOR (CONTD)The lungs, the spine, the heart,the brain, all your work. Allimpossible without you, as a matterof fact. Are you ready?

Igor is clearly horrified; what has he been party to?

IGORVictor, I dont- What is this? Yousaid this was about life, not death-

VICTORStand back.

Victor throws a massive switch, and theres a sharp buzz ofelectricity! We see arcs and loops of blue energy zap acrosssuspended cables, slamming into connectors on the bolts inGordons neck.

Igor leaps back, startled. Steam rises off Gordons body.The machines wind down. Victor approaches slowly.

IGOR...What-

VICTORLook. Listen.

Igor looks and listens...and is amazed. Gordon is alive.Only marginally, but yes...the chest rises and falls. Theeyes, horrible and monstrous, are open, and blinking.

Igors shock and excitement is palpable. He runs his handsover its flesh and puts his ear to its chest, listening tothe slow beating of the heart.

He looks down at the animal; theres an odd peace about it,an innocence.

IGORIts...alive.

VICTORIts alive.

IGOR....Victor-

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VICTORIt cant quite move; the chargeonly lasts about an hour, and thebody is mostly rudimentary mock up-

IGORThis is- Victor- youve createdlife from nothing, dont you see

how impor-VICTOR

Tomorrow you shall accompany me tothe college. Ive announced that Iwill be making a presentation of myprivate studies-

IGORI- to the college- as yourassistant?

VICTORAssis- Igor, dont be an idiot.

Youre my partner.

Igor is completely overwhelmed.

SMASH CUT TO:

EXT. THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF MEDICINE - MORNING

The main building of the college is on a big, beautifulcampus. Victor and Igor are unloading the big gurney off thetop of a coach, the bedsheet tied down tightly.

Victor hands Igor down the heavy dynamo equipment, and Igorlooks up at the college. Its everything hed ever dreamed.

FLASH TO:

Igor and Victor are rolling the gurney up one of the schoolshallways.

VICTOR(loudly)

Presentation! Big presentation inhall H!

The school is mostly empty. The students who are there seem

at best disinterested, at worst disgusted. Igor notices, butstays quiet.

INT. HALL H

Victor and Igor stand at the front of the big lecture hall.The Gordon-Gurney and the dynamo are all set up. Victor isaddressing the audience.

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Igor is clearly uncomfortable, and concerned about hisfriend. Victors voice has a new element to it: a nervoustremor that we havent heard before.

VICTORSince the beginning of modernmedicine, there has been anassumption regarding the nature of

mortality, that beingthat beingthat death is an unavoidable eventwhose inevitability should be takenfor granted. I aim to show thatlife is not some heavenly gracegiven to us by an all-powerful god-but no- no instead that it issomething natural-

FINNEGAN (O.S.)Get on with it!

We pan to reveal that the hall is nearly empty; of twohundred seats, only seven are filled. They all look

disinterested and bored.

In the back is Michael FINNEGAN, 21, dressed in only thefinest clothes, refined, handsome and posh, a child of wealthwith an accent so upper-crust he makes Victor and Igor soundlike theyre from Michigan.

His outburst draws some laughs from the crowd.

VICTORAh- uh, yes- indeed, I will- Igor,start up the dynamo.

IGORYes, Master.

VICTORI present to you! I present to allof you here, the brave few who came-

FINNEGANThe brave few, poppycock! Its thebeginning of Christmas recess, ofcourse theres no one hereFrankenstein! I have a coachwaiting! Who else is keeping theircoach waiting?

There are some murmurs of agreement from the others. Igorprimes the dynamo.

VICTORI present to you, life by my owncreation!

Victor yanks the bedsheet down. The reveal of Gordon (deadand lifeless) has a definite effect on the crowd: negative;murmurs of disgust, and two students get up and leave.

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VICTOR (CONTD)(hurriedly)

I built this homunculus out ofparts primarily taken by from theLondon Zoo, which has had muchdifficulty in care of their exoticanimals. He is primarily-primarily chimpanzee, but with helpfrom my partner Igor, we haveinterlaced multiple individuals,multiple species- Igor is it ready,good- If youll all come closer,please.

The remaining four students come down, grudgingly, mumbling.Finnegan stays right where he is.

VICTOR (CONTD)And now, through the miracle ofelectricity: life!

Igor fires the dynamo. The effect is immediate, and

unexpected.

Dozens of flies explode out from all over Gordon! The fourstudents swear and shout their disgust, heading out.

VICTOR (CONTD)No no- wait, dont- Igor, shock himagain, harder.

Igor shocks Gordon again. Everyones left except Finnegan,who begins applauding.

FINNEGANFrankenstein, you have lived up toyour fathers reputation, to yourown expansive mythos of strangenessand perversion! Delightful!Spectacular, just- an exquisiteshow of depraved lunacy-

VICTORAgain, harder!

Igor shocks Gordon again, nothing, and Victor shoves him outof the way, amps the dynamo all the way, SHOCKS HIM AGAIN...

Nothing.

FINNEGANOh, so the show isnt over? I mustsay though, youll be hard pressedto beat the flies, a reallyinspired moment of grotesquerevulsion-

Victor shocks Gordon again, STILL NOTHING. The generatorsputters and dies, spitting out acrid black smoke.

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FINNEGAN (CONTD)What do you have planned next,perhaps a midget is hidden insideyour rotting meat sculpturesstomach, ready to pop out with abouquet of ro-

Gordon groans.

FINNEGAN (CONTD)Ro- ...roses...

Gordon...blinks.

VICTORHa! You see its-

Gordons right arm RIPS FREE OF THE RESTRAINTS, SMASHINGVICTOR AND SENDING HIM FLAILING BACKWARDS INTO A BLACKBOARD,WHICH CRACKS IN HALF ON HIS IMPACT.

IGOR

VIC-

The other arm tears loose, grabs Igor and flings him into thegenerator. He collapses, dazed.

Oh shit.

Finnegan stands, watching as Gordon finishes ripping itselffree from the gurney.

FINNEGANI say.

Finnegan, fearless with the entitled bravado of the trulywealthy, rushes down to Gordon as it gets up.

Gordon turns on him, leaping up onto the podium ahead of himand blocking his path-

He stands perfectly still. Gordon ROARS, an unnatural,painful sound, and Finnegan falls on his ass, before thecreature turns and gracefully springboards off the wall,crashing out through a window to the roof.

FINNEGAN (CONTD)By jove. Brilliant.

Igor, frantic, races to the shattered window, looking outafter Gordon, then goes to Victor, whos groggily getting up.

IGORThe creature-

VICTORDid you see? Incredible!

Victor cant stand, hes too woozy from the hit.

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VICTOR (CONTD)Better than I possibly could havehoped for-

IGORBut its free! Its- dangerous!

VICTOR

Yes, marvellous-

IGORVictor, we have to stop it-

Igor turns and Victor grabs him roughly by the sleeve.

VICTORNo. You mustnt let any harm cometo it. Its my creation, its moreimportant than any the lives of anyof the idiots at this school.

Theres a moment of very intense eye contact, and then Igor

yanks his arm away, and Victor falls.

VICTOR (CONTD)Damn it Igor!

Igor rushes out onto the roof.

AND WE FOLLOWHIM

Out onto the perilous, sloping shingled tiles of the schoolsroof. Gordon, a creature never meant for full mobility, hasstarted leaking. Badly.

Hes left a trail of blood that Igor hurries to follow,nearly slipping a few times on the tiles turning a corner andfinding Gordon perched on a chimney, looking down at acourtyard full of students with their bags, waiting to gohome for winter break.

It has a bloodlust in its eyes, the crazed violence of aninsane animal never meant to exist; it starts to head downtowards the courtyard, growling...

Igor, having the epiphany that he has no idea how to stopthis thing, skids to a halt in the soot of the chimney.

IGORH-...Hello, I-

Gordon turns abruptly, and SCREAMS, charging down the roof,ripping up roof tiles and flinging them at Igor, who turns,scrambling away, but Gordon quickly overtakes him, tacklinghim and sending them both tumbling violently down towards theledge.

The fall has a bizarre, unsettling effect on Gordon; thecreatures patchwork body, not intended for this, has startedto come apart!

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Igor and Gordon fall over the edge, but Igor catches himself,dangling by one hand over a fifteen foot drop to the roof ofthe schools greenhouse.

Gordon COMES OUT OF NOWHERE, swinging at him easily andgracefully, SLASHING WILDLY. The blows knock Igors griploose, and tear his shirt, exposing the backbrace beneath;dangling this way Igor is defenseless, and he has to take the

hits as they come, until-GORDON LEAPS ENTIRELY ONTO IGOR, causing them both to plummetdown onto

THE GREENHOUSE

-shattering a large portion of it. Igor is left laying dazedacross the rickety framework. He slowly pushes himself tohis feet, forced to go back to his circus training; on thesethin steel beams, its practically a tightrope.

IGOR (CONTD)All right......whered you

go...whered you-

Gordon BURSTS UP THROUGH A PANEL TO HIS RIGHT, taking a wildswing, and Igor is forced to hurry his treacherous progress,trying to make it to a nearby roof. Meanwhile, Gordon iseasily monkeying around upside-down on the interior ceilingof the greenhouse, smashing through panels to take wildswings at Igor.

Igor makes the leap to the roof, and Gordon comes smashinginto him from behind; the impact is enough to literally knockone of Igors shoes off, but his training as a clown helpshim to roll with the impact.

Gordon roars again, and charges once more; a chase beginsover the roof of the college, which we the audience alongwith Igor realize is actually many buildings, built only afew feet apart.

Igor, jumping these gaps with this monstrosity mere secondsbehind him and gaining, realizes what he has to do.

Jumping past a wind-vein, Igor rips it free, and at the nextgap, TURNS AND BASHES GORDON ACROSS THE FACE.

Gordon is disoriented mid-jump, and begins to fall into thegap between the buildings, BUT GRABS IGOR, PULLING HIM DOWN

TOO-

BETWEEN THEBUILDINGS

The space is incredibly claustrophobic, their fall slowed byimpacts against both walls- For a terrifying moment Igor istrapped against the monsters bosom, but he fights free-

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Bracing himself against the walls, Igor tries to make it tothe edge as the still-falling monster grabs at him- againIgor braces himself but his knees are at his chest, and themonster pulls him down further, it finally hitting the ground-

Igor tries to move over it; it hits him, HARD, dazing him butpushing him to the edge- Gordon yanks itself towards him, notcaring about the flesh being sheared away, hes doomed, it-

The dazed Igor is yanked out

INTO A PATCH OFDIRT BY THE

STABLES

Igor lays there dazed, watching helplessly as Gordon beginsto pull itself free, snarling and roaring in rage, one armgrabbing Igors leg-

WHAM. A shovel comes down Gordons wrist, and he jerks backhis arm, taking a swing instead at

VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN, wielding a shovel. Again we see theeasy, serpentine way Victor can dodge; he ghosts around threehuge swings from the monsters free arm, and then brings theshovel crashing down on its head-

-and again-

-and again and again and again AND AGAIN AND AGAIN-

IGOR (CONTD)Victor! Its dead, its dead!

Victor, covered in the creatures blood, his hair hanging in

sweaty strands, hunched over and breathing hard, looks atIgor. He drops the shovel.

IGOR (CONTD)You killed it. You...you killed it-

VICTOROf course.

(beat)I couldnt let it hurt you, couldI?

Igor and Victor stare at each other, realizing with equalparts fear and enthusiasm how little each of them knows about

the true nature of the other.

FINNEGANClean that damn thing up.

Finnegan runs up, possibly the most exercise hes ever had,followed by his huge, fancy coach.

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FINNEGAN (CONTD)Ive had my men collect yourequipment from the hall, now cleanthat thing up and get it into thecarriage, quick.

VICTORWhat? Why?

FINNEGANJust do it!

Victor stares at him, looking completely insane, and Finneganis correctly intimidated.

FINNEGAN (CONTD)Because youre two mad bloodygeniuses, and it would be atremendous waste to see you hauledoff to Scotland Yard.

Victor looks to Igor. Igor looks to Victor. Victor offers

Igor his hand, and Igor takes it.

Victor pulls him to his feet.

CLOSE ON:

Fingers, fidgeting with a crucifix, turning it around andaround, end over end.

INT. GREENHOUSE - SUNSET

Inspector Turpin is here with Alistair, amongst all the

broken glass, as they talk to an elderly GROUNDSKEEPER.

Turpins red-eyed, anemic condition appears slightly worse;hes distracted, not really paying attention to theGroundskeeper, instead looking up at the shattered roof,osmosing the scene, fidgeting with his cross.

GROUNDSKEEPERWe didnt expect to have a realInspector from the yard out, yousee, we just thought there would bea few bobbies to make a report ofthe damages.

ALISTAIRInspector Turpin and I are herebecause he believes- we believethere might be a connection to anongoing investigation.

Turpin notices something on the wall, and gets up onto atable, trying to get a better look at the roof. He reachesup and touches something on the shattered window.

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GROUNDSKEEPEROh, I nary think its anything soserious, probably just somehooligans out for a laugh beforechristma-

Turpin raises his hand, which is covered in blood.

TURPINHooligans.

GROUNDSKEEPERGood christ-

TURPINConstable, give me a lift wouldyou?

MOMENTS LATER,ON THE ROOF...

Turpin has pulled himself up out onto the shattered roof,

Constable Alistair clumsily following. Turpin begins makinghis way further up the roof.

ALISTAIRInspector, I dont think its safethat we should-

TURPINOh come now, Im making easy workof it, and I havent slept in days.

ALISTAIR...You havent been sleeping?

TURPINA slip of the tongue. Its justbeen a difficult time. Not enoughmoney in this job; a christlyoccupation, to be certain, but Icant afford a sitter to watch myRebecca, and its...taxing, on themind. Ive been having nightmares,as well.

ALISTAIRWell, the case has gone mostlycold. Sir, if you need a break,

Im sure myself or Inspector Waltoncould take over-

Turpin hoists himself up onto the next level of the roof,noticing Igors shoe and picking it up as he goes.

TURPINDont be silly, Ali; what do youthink the nightmares are...about...

ALISTAIRInspector? Something wrong?

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Alistair hurriedly pulls himself up onto the roof afterTurpin, and sees Turpin, still clutching the shoe, staring atthe glaringly obvious trail of blood and destruction, bizarreand horrifying in the darkening daylight.

ALISTAIR (CONTD)Dear god.

TURPIN...Mostly cold indeed.

INT. VICTORS FLAT

Victor and Igor are arguing; its the first time this hasever happened.

IGORIt was bloody homicidal!

VICTORThere was no way I couldve known-

IGORBut Victor you couldve helped, youcouldve done something-

VICTORI did do something, I saved yourlife! What was I meant to do,spring up like a jack-in-the-boxafter it pummeled me into a wall,say how-ya-do and take it down witha crisp uppercut? What did youwant-

IGORYou said you didnt care about thepeople at the school! The otherstudents-

VICTORStop going on about people beingin danger and you being thrownoff a building, Igor, we made real

progress today!

Finnegan emerges from the attic door. Igor starts arebuttal, but Victor raises a hand, and Igors subservient

instincts guide him to silence. They look to Finnegan.

FINNEGANAm I to understand you...built allthat?

VICTORThats correct.

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FINNEGANAnd you...Mr. Straussman, you wereresponsible for conglomerating theorganic tissue of the creature Isaw today?

IGORI-

(looks to Victor)Yes, thats right.

Finnegans next words are measured to the millimeter.

FINNEGANI...apologize, Victor. Ihad...misjudged you. Your flaws,though they are glaring and massiveare...merely social, notintellectual. I find your workastonishing, innovative, and...tobe perfectly frank...brilliantbeyond my own ability to

comprehend.

Theres a beat, and Finnegan takes a deep breath.

FINNEGAN (CONTD)As you know, I come from the thirdrichest family in England. Couldyou create another one, likeGordon?

IGORLike Gordon?

FINNEGANWell, no. A man. Somethingcapable of following orders.

IGORNo, thats ridicu-

VICTORWell do it. We can do it.

FINNEGANIs there a hesitation, Igor?

IGOR

This technology is not meant for-

VICTORThere is no hesitation.

Finnegan gives Igor a short glance, chuckling.

FINNEGANI have the means to back you inyour experiments on much largerscale.

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All of them, Igor, this artificialman would just be a starting point.Youre certain youre-

VICTORHes certain.

FINNEGAN

Hah, very well. Ill want anotherdemonstration, more controlled. Iwant to know that you can followdirection. Take orders, so tospeak. Is this a problem?

VICTORNo.

FINNEGANExcellent. Expect to hear from mesoon.

Finnegan leaves, and Igor stares angrily at Victor. Victor

turns on him abruptly, and before Igor can speak hesimmediately caught in a paralyzingly crisp stream of words.

VICTORYou did not create this technology,yet youpresume to tell me how touse it? Know your place. I willnot let your own ignorance of theworld at large stand in the way ofthe progress of my experiments.

IGORBut Victor, surely-

VICTORHave you already forgotten what Idid for you at the circus?

Igor falls silent.

VICTOR (CONTD)This is my destiny, this is yourdestiny, Finnegan is our only allyand we will build him a whole damnzoo of homunculi if it meansfurthering our research, am Iunderstood?

IGOR...Yes Mast- Yes Victor.

INT. VICTORS FLAT - BASEMENT LAB

Igor slowly comes down the stairs. Victor, wearing a lab-coat, is working in near total darkness, lit by sparks.

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Hes standing over the operating table, which has a new sheetover it; something under the sheet writhes and twistsbizarrely.

VICTORSo glad you could be here. I wantto show you my newest creation.

Igor moves forward; theres strange, muted growling frombeneath the sheet. Igor looks to Victor, who grabs the sheetand yanks it off, revealing...

The Hunchback, dirty in his tattered clown uniform, writhingin his restraints on the table!

The Hunchback turns to Igor and lets out Gordons hideous,mechanical scream!

SMASH TO:

INT. VICTORS FLAT - IGORS ROOM

Igor snaps awake in bed, breathing hard. He calms himselfdown, and then looks out the window, at dawn over London.

EXT. BARON BOMINES RESIDENCE - MORNING

The huge house is beautiful, led into by a long driveway.Igor stands at the edge of this drive, clearly nervous,fidgeting. A butler comes walking up the drive to get themail, and Igor, frantic, jumps into a bush to try to hide.

The butler reaches the end of the drive, picks up the mail,

and then casually turns to Igor in the bush.

BUTLERCan I help you, sir?

IGORI...uh...Im here to see Lorelei.

BUTLERMaster Igor, I presume.

Igor falters, surprised, and then smiles.

EXT. THE THAMES - RIVERSIDE

Igor and Lorelei, looking positively scorching hot, walktogether up a walkway on the side of the Thames.

LORELEIWell why dont you just tell himyou wont do it?

VICTORIts not- I owe him everything, Icant just-

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LORELEIWhy not? You said he identifiesyou as his partner.

IGOR(quietly)

Yes...

LORELEII dont know, if you ask me thewhole business sounds sinister.Cutting up corpses? Bringingpeople back from the grave? Imnot a scientist nor a priest, butdoesnt it seem wrong to you?Against nature?

IGORNo, no...Its about life, notdeath.

Igor and Lorelei are coming up a bridge to cross it, and Igor

realizes privately that its the same bridge he jumped off inhis circus escape. They stop, looking out over the dyes.

IGOR (CONTD)Victor dreams of a world filledwith hope, instead of fear. Aworld where a mother who diesduring childbirth can live to seeher son, where a murdered man canpersonally identify his murderer.Where a paralyzed soldier withshrapnel embedded in his spine canbe killed, healed, and then bebrought back to life to walk again.

The possibilities are endless...

LORELEIYes but Igor...what do you want?What is your place in this dream?

IGOR...Enough about me. Whats nextfor you?

Lorelei gives him a look, but then laughs.

LORELEI

Honestly? I was thinking ofstarting to give lessons...maybeeven starting a school.

IGORTrapeze?

LORELEINo, very few high society girlsenjoy...trapeze, more dance.

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Gymnastics and dance, all thethings I know best- I could nevergo back to a circus, to that life-

Lorelei stops, seeming to gather herself.

LORELEI (CONTD)I must- I must- you were my closest

friend, for three years I knew youas the hunchback-

IGORThats over now-

LORELEIBut the things I saw and- Igor canyou ever forgive me, Im so sorry-

IGORYou shouldnt apologize-

LORELEI

No, I should. I should I should(is overcome)

I saw the way they treated you,sleeping in that rail car and-

IGORLorelei-

LORELEIThe beatings, youd come aroundcovered in bruises, I did nothingoh I did nothing, because I was tooafraid and, and selfish-

IGORLorelei its all right-

LORELEIBut thats your nature to say itsall right, youre too forgiving-

IGORWhat were you going to do? Take itup with management? Who was thereto tell? Who was there to turn to?If youd come to my aid Nathaniel,Rafferty and the rest...I never

blamed you. Not once. Ever.

Igor lets this sink in. They look down over bridge, towhere the dyes are pouring into the water, coloring itpurple, blue, red, green...

IGOR (CONTD)Besides, were here now, arent we?Were here and were beautiful.

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LORELEI(collecting herself)

What Im saying is you mustntallow anyone to bully you, everagain. If you think Victor is onthe wrong road, you must make astand. Dont let yourself beanyones footstool, ever again.Promise me.

Igor blinks; hes somewhat in shock.

IGORI...I promise.

Theres a beat. Theyre staring into each others eyes.There should be a kiss here. There isnt.

EXT. VICTORS FLAT - SHORTLY THEREAFTER

Igor is confidently approaching the door; he reaches out to

open it, but then takes a beat.

IGOR(mutter under his breath)

Victor...truly respect me as ascientist...something you cantcontrol...

Someone loudly clears their throat behind him, startling Igorinto a little yelp.

There stands Doctor Claus Von FRANKENSTEIN, late 50s early60s, lean and gray, with a demeanor so cold his breath has a

wind chill factor.FRANKENSTEIN

Igor. You look...slimmer. I seeyouve finally organized your hair.

(beat)You know your parents are worriedsick about you, I assume. Tina hasbeen in regular correspondence.

IGOR...Im sorry, I dont-

FRANKENSTEIN

Is Victor here.

IGORYes, I-

FRANKENSTEINVery well.

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Victor sits at his desk; hes engrossed in drawing something,a blueprint. Hes fully absorbed in it, and doesnt look upwhen Igor ent

Documents

FRANKENSTEIN by Max Landis (Second Draft, dated May 23rd, 2011)